Winter Wonders: Explore Events and Experiences in Burlington.

The holiday season is here! Check out things to do with family and friends in Burlington before and after Christmas – both indoors and outdoors.

Featured Outdoor Events

Festival of Lights

Until January 8, 2025, wander through the Festival of Lights in Spencer Smith Park downtown. Every evening from 4pm to midnight see Burlington’s waterfront illuminated with magical light displays.

Get a birds-eye-view with Lights from the Rooftop at Joseph Brant Museum on Thursday, December 19 and January 2 from 6pm – 9pm. Enjoy free hot chocolate and popcorn. Please bring a donation for the Burlington Food Bank.

Parking is free downtown after 6pm in all lots, including the Waterfront Parking Garage, which is also free all day on Saturdays and Sundays. It’s just steps away from the park. Most Burlington Transit buses from the Burlington GO station stop at the John Street Terminal downtown.

Make a night of it with some last-minute shopping or dinner at a local restaurant.

Winterlit at Mountsberg

Add some whimsy to your Winter nights at Mountsberg Conservation Area’s award-winning display of outdoor lights at Winterlit every night through January 7, 2025, and Friday-Sunday until February 17, 2025. Enjoy moonlit strolls along two trails featuring illuminated art installations.

Purchase tickets

Winter Wonders at RBG

Experience the magic of the season and the outdoors with Winter Wonders at Royal Botanical Gardens Thursdays to Sundays through January 5, 2025. Stroll through the scenic landscapes, savour warm holiday treats delight, enjoy the whimsical botanical train display and shop for seasonal gifts in the Gift Shop. The rest of the week, take a ride on the RBG Express.

Purchase timed tickets

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Indoor Activities

If the weather outside is frightful, these fun indoor activities will be so delightful. Check out our blog on Indoor Fun in Burlington for year-round experiences like indoor golf, VR gaming, bowling and old-fashioned board games.

Art Gallery of Burlington

Home to the largest collection of Canadian ceramics, the Art Gallery of Burlington is free to visit Tuesdays - Sundays. Check out artist David Harper’s Midnight exhibit before it closes January 5, 2025, or check out the Living Lab through January 12. Visit the AGB Shop for unique gift ideas.

Burlington Performing Arts

Located conveniently downtown near the waterfront, hotels, restaurants and local shops, the Burlington Performing Arts Centre hosts experiences that inspire from music, magic, theatre, to grand spectacles. Make a night of it with a dinner and a show.

December 20: A Very Charlie Brown Concert

January 3 & 4: Abbamania

December 21: A Whitehorse Winter Classic

Museums of Burlington

Dive into the rich history, perspectives and stories that make up Burlington at two locations with fun, thoughtful and interactive displays and events for all ages.

Joseph Brant Museum

Through April 2025: Refuge Canada

Through April 2025: Peace by Chocolate film

Ireland House: Book a guided tour

Planning for 2025

Ring in 2025 in Style

Ring in 2025 in style – your style – at local restaurants offering New Year’s Eve specials, or book a great rate at one of 19 hotels to sleep off the celebrations, hit Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club for a few laughs, book a VIP party package at Splitsville for an evening of bowling and more, glam it up at a party at the Burlington Convention Centre , or rock it ‘ole school with Flashback at the Burlington Legion

Taste of Burlington is Back

The annual Taste of Burlington prix-fixe program is BACK!

Don’t miss out on two weeks of incredible dining experiences across Burlington. From January 27th-February 9th, savour a bit of everything!

See list of restaurants

Chilly Half Marathon 80% Sold Out

Registration for the iconic Chilly Half Marathon March 2, 2025, is already 80% sold out, so register now. Free shuttles from participating local hotels – offering great rates – are provided. And, for families and friends of runners, there’s lots to do in town including museums, arts & culture, live theatre and more.

Events Calendar

Turn your weekend into a vacation! Check out our 19 hotels.

Stay in Burlington